Wildlife Queensland Bayside Branch

Next Meeting. Friday 25th October 2019 at 7:00 PM

Powerful by name, and powerful by nature - the Powerful Owl is Australia’s largest owl with an impressive wingspan of up to 140cm. It occurs in patches of forest from eastern and south-eastern Australia (east of the Great Dividing Range), from south-eastern Queensland to South Australia. Despite being classified as threatened throughout its range, it can and does, survive within cities.

The urban landscape is a hard place to live though! Powerful Owls need big, old trees for nesting and these are in short supply so protecting this habitat is crucial. These are also In this edition top order predators, so protecting their food sources – possums, birds, flying foxes and From the executive even Christmas beetles is important. 2 President’s Report STEVE Large patches of quality forest with nesting hollows are increasingly being impacted by human activities. With over 1000 people moving to southern Queensland each month we continue to clear areas which could be important habitat for these owls. Flying foxes 3 starving We need to understand where Powerful Owl are breeding in our region and what we can do to conserve them. The Powerful Owl Recycling project is working toward building predictive mapping that can be used to identify important owl habitat which we will 4 WPSQ Annual encourage to be used in state and council planning. dinner

Rob Clemens will present an overview of what we know about Report Card these owls and the growing BirdLife Powerful Owl project. Rob 5 Glossies earned a PhD at UQ studying shorebird ecology, but worked for ten years in north America studying raptors before coming to 6 Blue Carbon Australia. Cattle prods and Come learn why Rob is so excited to be studying these owls in 7 protest Brisbane. History of protect This Project is in partnership with Birds Queensland, is proudly 8 supported by the QLD Government—QLD Citizen Science Grants, Logan City Council, the Sunshine Coast Council’s Environment Backyard Wildlife Levy, The Wettenhall Environment Trust, and the Australian 9 Environment Foundation. Redland City Council is proud to provide funding as part of the Community Grants Program. Resources 10 Committee and Friday 25th October 2019 at 7.00 pm at Redlands Multi Sports Club Contacts Cnr. Bailey & Randall Rd, Birkdale QLD 4159 Membership Form All Welcome Gold coin donation Enjoy the club facilities beforehand For more information phone Steve 0423036676 email [email protected] From the Executive Team... Presidents Report

October President report

Somewhere in my garden Green Frogs started calling last Thursday I have not heard or seen them for months, so I knew there was a likelihood of rain, no surprise then to have decent falls here over the weekend, now to see if there will be activity in my ponds.

Our container recycling project is powering along and making a major contribution to branch funds thanks everyone getting behind this worthwhile project. Since 1st November, an amazing 29000 containers have been recycled through our account. Governments still need to do more to help emerging manufacturing industries to create markets for recycled products, already it is rumoured there is a stockpile of glass due to industry’s inability to absorb and re-use its own product.

With local and state elections next year, we do already seem to be in caretaker mode.

We are still awaiting the Koala Conservation Strategy for South East Queensland which was promised for May 2019, still not out for public consultation and comment. Meanwhile planning continues for huge new conurbations around South east Qld, Caboolture West for instance will have 40000 dwellings, Ripley Valley 50000, there are plans for a second M1 from Coomera to Logan, wildlife is being pushed into ever decreasing refuges.

Trees are definitely a threatened species with clearing, not only for development, but for fire mitigation and safety, that is more subjective than by regulation, locally we have heard reports of excessive vegetation clearing on Macleay Island affecting the Black Cockatoo food source and Koala trees in school grounds in Birkdale being cleared. Land degradation is a huge contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, therefore global warming, but also to loss of biodiversity.

Our meeting this month is on the Powerful Owl Project, a subject that was recently on Channel 7 news and was in a communique from the QLD government, come along to this meeting and be one of the first to hear about this great initiative by Birds Australia. It is also a celebration of National Bird Week.

Rain is grace; rain is the sky condescending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life. John Updike

Blue tongue eating Welcome back shorebirds event Display at Shorebirds event my strawberries Flying Foxes Starving Report Littering Things are pretty grim out there for our wildlife, in particular our flying foxes. With the ongoing drought and recent fires, there is a critical lack of flowering and native fruits for bats to feed on. Water is an issue On your mobile or on the web with many of our natural water bodies drying up. https://report-littering- dumping.ehp.qld.gov.au/ Increasing numbers of flying foxes are currently coming into care, with most of them seriously underweight and in poor condition. It is heartbreaking, especially with many of them being heavily pregnant females.

Rescue groups are reporting high numbers of flying foxes being hit by cars and attacked by dogs, as they venture down low, looking for food. There are also many that simply do not have the energy to fly, leaving them stranded in backyard trees, street trees or at their roosts.

Other local government officers are reporting a high number of deaths at local roosts and parks. Flying fox researchers have declared - this starvation event extends from Coffs Harbour to Gladstone.

If you have food trees in your yard you can expect a visit from flying foxes and other hungry wildlife who will be grateful if you’re willing to share your bountiful harvests with them.

If you do decide to net your trees please avoid ‘bird netting’ as it can trap visiting flying foxes and cause them a slow and painful death. The trick to picking the right netting is all in the size of the holes - if you can poke your finger through, it's the wrong netting.

Some residents are placing water and food in their trees to help flying foxes and other wildlife suffering through these extreme conditions. You can also help by keeping your dogs in at night.

If you come across a sick, injured or dead flying fox please, do not try and handle it, but call Bat Conservation and Rescue Qld on 0488 228 134. Prof Mike Archer AM joins Wildlife Queensland as guest speaker at our Annual Dinner on 7 December 2019.

Mike is Professor of PalaeoBiology at the University of New South Wales and is perhaps best known for leading research into the extraordinary Riversleigh fossil deposits in Queensland, which led to the site being listed on the World Heritage Register as an outstanding example of “major stages of the earth’s evolutionary history and significant ongoing ecological and biological evolution”. (http://www.create.unsw.edu.au/team/marcher/)

Join us for dinner and hear about Mike's current research on discovering how the fossil record has vital information about how to save critically endangered species ‒ using strategies that would never have occurred to ecologists. His team is starting a project of this kind now to save the critically endangered Mountain Pygmy possum, and he is positive it will work!

A must hear presentation!

Ticket prices:

- Standard (from 1 Sept): $85 - Student: $75 - Table of 10: $750

Ticket includes 2-course meal and drink. Ticket bookings at https://www.trybooking.com/BDSQH Date for 2019 Report Card announced! Glossy black-cockatoo food trees have been cleared on Macleay Island How healthy is your local waterway? You can find out at 2pm on Tuesday 22 October when we unveil SCIENTIST and conservationist Glen Ingram says the results for the 2019 Report Card. the council has cleared hundreds of glossy black- cockatoo food trees on Macleay Island, destroying The Report Card provides an annual assessment of the vulnerable birds' habitat. the ecosystem health of South East Queensland’s waterways via A-F health grades. Ironically, the clearing comes as the council The release of the Report Card results is the appeals to residents to take part in planting culmination of twelve months of scientific sheoaks as part of a plan to save the species. monitoring at 311 freshwater, estuarine and marine sites throughout the region. The Report Card also The clearing has been aimed at reducing fire outlines the social and economic benefits that hazards but the casuarinas are the glossy black- waterways provide to local communities though a cockatoo's sole source of food on the island. 1-5-star rating. "They are not just reducing the fuel load," she Register for the online launch of the Report Card said. "They are knocking everything down. People results on Eventbrite and receive a Report Card are taking advantage and getting away with it." summary PDF document, notifications of videos, a website link to the 2019 results, and the option of Dr Ingram said the "concerted destruction of adding it to your calendar. vegetation" was taking place during most animals' breeding season. "It is like living on islands of Register for the online launch of the Report Card results death," he said. https://www.redlandcitybulletin.com.au/story/6427582/co ncerted-destruction-of-vegetation-on-bay-islands-says- conservationist/?cs=213

Drone safety

If you own a drone, it’s important that you understand the rules that keep you and others safe. https://www.casa.gov.au/droneflyer

Take-off with confidence https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/safety-apps

Drones and mangroves

Mangrove mapping based on the drone aerial photos can provide good results, and have been proven to be a viable alternative to satellite-based monitoring/management of these ecosystems. The improvements of drone technology will help to make drone use even more competitive in the future.

Drones can provide higher temporal resolution images, even on cloudy days, an exceptional benefit when working in a humid tropical climate. In terms of the user-costs, drone costs are much higher, but this becomes advantageous over satellite data for long-term monitoring of a small area. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0200288 Fighting global warming with blue carbon Breathe deeply. All that lovely oxygen you’re getting right now was recycled somewhere by plants (and plankton). But it’s not just the land-based plants responsible for restoring Earth’s oxygen supply—marine plants also play an important role.

Mangroves, seagrasses and inhabitants of salt marshes are just some of the plants responsible for creating something called blue carbon. But this important part of underwater ecology looks more brown and green than a pretty aqua hue.

It works like this: marine plants capture carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, just like their terrestrial siblings. The plants transform the carbon into carbohydrates, which are then used by the plant to grow stems, leaves and flowers. When the plant dies, the carbon locked in its tissues is trapped, stored underground.

Mat Vanderklift, a marine ecologist at CSIRO, says because this trapped carbon is waterlogged, very little oxygen gets to it and it cannot decompose. The carbon can remain trapped much more efficiently than land-based carbon traps, like trees.

This removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are rising, causing global warming, and human-caused carbon dioxide is the largest contributor.

Australia and many other countries around the world are looking at how we can harness blue carbon to help combat global warming.

A blue carbon economy is a model where businesses can pay to support renewing wetlands and coasts to help prevent environmental damage. It can help make a business environmentally ethical and balance out its own carbon emissions. For certain businesses like fisheries, blue carbon economies can even help secure their future.

“In salt marshes, seagrasses and mangroves, the carbon is stored underground,” Mat says.

These marine ecosystems are such great carbon catchers they can be more effective than rainforests in cleaning our atmosphere of carbon dioxide.

Unfortunately, while we’re pumping more carbon dioxide into the air than ever before, we’re also losing vast swathes of our blue carbon ecosystems.

The world has lost 50% coverage of its tidal marshes and mangroves in the past 10 years alone. Deforestation, farming, construction and climate change all contribute to these losses. What’s more, when we lose the mangroves and marshes, the carbon trapped by these plants can re-enter the atmosphere.

“If all you want to do is trap carbon, well that’s easy to upscale. But that’s often not all we want to do. We want to replenish fish stocks or increase biodiversity and bring back the plants and animals that used to live in these ecosystems,” Mat says.

Bringing back mangroves, salt marshes and seagrasses also helps bring back animals that call these ecosystems home.

This is particularly good news for coastal communities that rely on fishing for food and work. Mat says working with these coastal communities is a vital part of making sure replenished marine environments survive.

“The old colonial way doesn’t work. We can’t just go in and tell people what to do. We have to start conversations with them so they understand the benefits to their communities.” By working with local communities, we can clean the air, restore our ecosystems and increase available fish for local communities. https://particle.scitech.org.au/earth/fighting-global-warming-with-blue-carbon/?utm_source=Particle+Enewsletter&utm_campaign=9d2d9af906- WEEKLY_NEWSLETTER_11TH_OCTOBER_2019&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b02889e0c2-9d2d9af906-48253781 Cattle prods and welfare cuts: mounting threats to Extinction Rebellion show demands are being heard, but ignored Scores of arrests have been made across Australia as the Extinction Rebellion enters its fifth day of protests.

The activists are desperately trying to force the Australian government to take serious and effective action against climate change. And their brand of civil disobedience has caused major inconveniences, from hanging off bridges to locking themselves to gates, vehicles or cement blocks.

But while inconvenient, their protests are still non-violent. This is an important point to stress, as the members of state and federal government peddle the view that they are criminals and anarchists.

In fact, as the movement grows stronger, so do the governments’ attempt to stop it. It shows the Extinction Rebellion’s demands are actually being heard, but at the same time, the drastic responses make it clear policy-makers will still choose to ignore them.

Draconian responses to social protest

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk last month used social media to denounce the “sinister” tactics of “stupid” protesters. She claims the current XR protests are “absolutely ridiculous” and are endangering people’s lives.

Her government is now fast-tracking new legislation that would mean possessing a locking device could lead to a jail term of up to two years, or a fine of up to $6,000.

Pauline Hanson has said Queenslanders should use cattle prods on climate change activists, whom she labelled “unwashed idiots”. And a few days ago, Studio 10 host Kerri-Anne Kennerley said motorists should run over XR protesters.

Peter Dutton and Michaelia Cash added fuel to the fire. The Home Affairs minister labelled the XR protesters “fringe-dwellers”, and claimed they should face mandatory jail sentences and welfare cuts.

Senator Cash added: “taxpayers should not be expected to subsidise the protests of others”, since protesting is not an exemption from a welfare recipient’s obligation to look for a job.

What’s more, NSW Police have imposed stringent bail conditions on protesters, traditionally used with members of bikie gangs. The bail conditions prevent them from “going near, or contacting or trying to go near or contact (except through a legal representative) any members of the group Extinction Rebellion”. They’re also not allowed to be within 2.5 kilometres of Sydney’s CBD.

These conditions had the curious result of also preventing defendants from attending court in the Sydney CBD.

Yesterday, former Greens Senator Scott Ludlam had his bail conditions revoked by deputy chief magistrate Jane Mottley, who said they were not necessary given the low seriousness of the offences. It’s expected many more cases will be dismissed on the same ground.

Read more here https://theconversation.com/cattle-prods-and-welfare-cuts-mounting-threats-to- extinction-rebellion-show-demands-are-being-heard-but-ignored-124990 The people are revolting - the history of protest

The people are revolting!

Struggling against the powerful is a tradition that stretches back generations. Change is often presented as a gift granted by the powerful, but it has much to do with the struggle and sacrifice of those from below.

Unlocking the power of protest

Back in the 13th Century, many of the English were serfs who were at the mercy of feudal lords.

Many barons – descendants of the 1066 Norman invaders – resented being subjects of such a powerful monarchy. In an attempt to make peace, what became known as the Magna Carta gave these barons legal protection against arbitrary monarchical rule. Most English people were left without individual rights and the barons ended up launching an insurrection against King John anyway. The Magna Carta was later appropriated by those resisting authority, not least during the 17th Century English civil war. Martin Luther’s 95 Theses

It was the beginning of the greatest challenge to the authority of the Catholic Church yet.

The German Augustinian friar Martin Luther had increasingly come to resent the theology and policies of the Church. A particular target of his frustration was the ability of sinners to give money in exchange for God’s forgiveness. Boston Tea Party

'No taxation without representation' had become a rallying-cry of British colonists in North America from the 1750s onwards.

The French Revolution

Andrew Marr's History of the World: Revolution, BBC One.

Those who led the French Revolution did not just fight for the rights of the French: liberté, égalité, fraternité became universal ideals. The French Revolution was a turning-point in the rise of democracy and freedom – not just in France, but across Europe and the wider world. The Luddites The Industrial Revolution threatened a 'race to the bottom', using less skilled labour. Organising collectively for their rights, the Luddites represent a big moment in the rise of a British labour movement.

The Suffragettes

Suffragettes are often portrayed as heroes today, but they were often demonised as anarchists and even terrorists in their day. The fight for women to vote was protracted indeed.

Civil Rights

A century after the US Civil War emancipated millions from slavery, African-Americans in several US states were still deprived of basic civil rights. https://www.bbc.com/timelines/ztvxtfr Backyard natives Across the bayside there a many species who live in and around our backyards and local parks, here are some.

Eurystomus orientalis – Dollar bird

Source: http://www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/dollarbird

The Dollarbird gets its unusual name because it has a large, prominent white spot on each wing, visible when the bird is in flight; these spots were considered to resemble silver dollars. Dollarbirds are often seen flying around in forests and woodlands, especially near wetlands, especially where bare branches extend above the forest canopy or over water. They launch from these perches in pursuit of flying insects, which are grabbed in the bill and brought back to the perch, where they are eaten.

The Dollarbird is the sole Australian representative of the Roller family, so named because of their rolling courtship display flight. The Dollarbird visits Australia each year to breed (starting September). It has mostly dark brown upperparts, washed heavily with blue-green on the back and wing coverts. The breast is brown, while the belly and undertail coverts are light, and the throat and undertail glossed with bright blue. The flight feathers of the wing and tail are dark blue. The short, thick-set bill is orange-red, tipped with black. In flight, the pale blue coin-shaped patches towards the tips of its wings, that gave the bird its name, are clearly visible. Both sexes are similar, although the female is slightly duller. Young Dollarbirds are duller than the adults and lack the bright blue gloss on the throat. The bill and feet are brownish in colour instead of red.

The Dollarbird arrives in northern and eastern Australia in September each year to breed. In March or April the birds return to New Guinea and adjacent islands to spend the winter.

Morelia spilota – Carpet snake https://www.qm.qld.gov.au/Find+out+about/Animals+of+Queensland/Reptiles/Snakes/Common+and+dangerou s+species/Carpet+Snake+or+Carpet+Python

Carpet snakes are extremely variable in colour and pattern. Most specimens are olive green, with pale, dark- edged blotches, stripes or cross-bands. The juveniles are similarly patterned, but often in shades of brown rather than olive green. A row of deep pits can be seen along the lower jaw and many small scales are present on the top of the head. This species can grow to more than 3 m in length. Midbody scale rows 40–65; ventrals 240– 310, narrow; anal single; subcaudals divided 60–95.

This species is widespread and found throughout northern, eastern and southern Australia. Lives in open forests, rainforests, coastal heaths, rural lands, park lands and suburban gardens. This snake is active both day and night and can be encountered on the ground, in trees or buildings (particularly chicken pens, barns and attics).

This species is non-venomous, but tetanus protection is recommended following bites. Feeds on frogs, lizards, birds, mammals. Cane Toads are sometime taken as prey with fatal consequences for the snake.

10–47 eggs are laid in early summer. The eggs are concealed in a sheltered site (beneath building materials, between hay bales, hollow stump or a depression in ground) and are incubated by the female who will `shiver' to generate heat. The female leaves the nest to bask in the morning sun and returns to her eggs in a pre-heated condition. Nesting females will defend their eggs. The hatchling snakes measure around 39 cm from the snout to the base of the tail (snout-vent length). Resources Page 7 https://particle.scitech.org.au/earth/fighting-global-warming-with-blue- carbon/?utm_source=Particle+Enewsletter&utm_campaign=9d2d9af906- WEEKLY_NEWSLETTER_11TH_OCTOBER_2019&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b02889e0c2-9d2d9af906-48253781

Page 8: https://www.bbc.com/timelines/ztvxtfr

Page 9: http://www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/dollarbird https://www.qm.qld.gov.au

Committee & Contacts Keep Up to Date Online!

President Steve Homewood 0423036676 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WPSQBB/ V President Vacant Blogs: Wildlife Queensland Coastal Citizen Science Secretary Simon Baltais [email protected] https://wpsqccs.wordpress.com/ Maureen Wildlife Bayside Treasurer 0418 197 160 Tottenham https://wildlifebayside.wordpress.com/

Executive Don Baxter Curlew Watch Janelle Devery https://curlewwatch.wordpress.com/ Bayside Newsletter Editor Alix Baltais/Simon Baltais Websites: Wildlife Bayside Wildlife Diary Editor Simon Baltais http://branches.wildlife.org.au/bayside/ Email: [email protected] Cicada Film Festival Web: http://www.branches.wildlife.org.au/bayside https://cicadafilmfestival.com.au/

Membership Application Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland